THUNDER BAY - During times of uncertainty, pets can be valuable companions, warding off loneliness during self-isolation and providing stress relief. But for those worried about being able to care for pets, a new program helping keep pets and families together.
The Thunder Bay District Humane Society officially launched its COVID-19 Pet Food Delivery Program for people in need of supplies who might not otherwise be able to afford it or leave their homes.
Shawna Beaulieu, executive director with the Thunder Bay District Humane Society, said the program focuses on seniors, marginalized, and vulnerable families.
“It really does help people in our community to be able to keep their pets and not have to make the choice feeding their families of feeding their pets,” she said.
“We don’t want people to have to do that. The goal of the program is keeping people safe in their homes with pet food delivered to their doors and ensuring no one in our community is forced to surrender their family pets as a result of temporary financial loss.”
The pet food delivery program was made possible with the help of a $4,500 grant from the Thunder Bay Community Foundation and the United Way of Thunder Bay.
The funding allows for deliveries to 75 households per week for four weeks and Beaulieu said even before the program launched, there was already a demand for pet food in the community.
“The fact that we’ve been getting calls from people needing food without advertising the program tells me that there will be a high demand,” she said.
Animal services and shelters have been deemed an essential by the province during the COVID-19 pandemic and Beaulieu said the community has done so much over the years to support the Humane Society that this is a way of giving back and fulfilling its mission of keeping pets and families together.
“We are here for people and animals alike to be able to support them,” she said. “We don’t want people to have to surrender their animals because they can’t meet their basic needs because of finical difficulties or job loss. If we can assist by bringing food or supplies over, we absolutely will do that.”
After the four weeks, the Humane Society will reassess the program and Beaulieu said if the demand is still high they will seek other avenues of funding.
Anyone in need of pet food delivery can call the Thunder Bay District Humane Society at 475-8803.
People will be asked a short series of questions for data purposes, including how pets are helping during the pandemic, which are all voluntary. A time and location is then arranged and food will be dropped off outside of the home or apartment building.
